JayWirth

Mine shipped this morning.

My Jack Schwinn streamers are ready. Whats the address????? Jay

Shad dart jig 1/4 1/8 1/32 white with a red tip and red calf tail, yellow with red tip and yellow calf tail. Though I never tried to catch one on a fly I would try a bucktail streamer of similar basic colors

My Renzetti on its new bench. And my old faithful Universal 2 mostly for jigs and bucktail streamers. I have been tying on this since about 1980.

Count me in! Im not quite sure what pattern but will be a streamer I have used here in the North East, USA

To respond to the original question, I always try to match a pattern as best as possible but do keep in the back of my mind that the availability of materials and geographic location play a big part in the end product. I tend to also consider the founding fathers (and my father & grandfather) as they created flies through the depression era and before you could purchase any tying material (tools, thread, feathers, etc) you desired. The end product, tied with skill and creativity, that attracts the rise is what counts.

Sorry but when I read this response the drill seargent from Full Metal Jacket poped into my head: This is my Fly. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My Fly is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My Fly, without me, is useless. Without my Fly, I am useless. I must cast my Fly true. I must cast straighter than my rise who is trying to out smart me. I must cast first before he does. My Fly and I know that what counts in fishing is not the fish we catch, the length of our drift, nor the leader we make. We know that it is the presentation that counts..... This is my fly. There are many like it, but this one is mine. Tight Lines! Jay

At the small of my back. I am able to cast with both hands and even switching hands with my rod as I walk the folding staff and its pouch are out of the way of my rod.

This past July I fished the Hiwassee River in the Cherokee National Park. I had a great time though I admit the river kicked my ass. I took a day away from visiting the in-laws and was on my own. The main road through the park provides many, many parking areas and access to the river. In the lower section (below bridge) you may see a lot of spin casters and not much is wade-able (mostly shore fishing). A small local tackle shop was valuable for direction further into the park where I found wade-able access. I had a hard time with wading, even with a wading staff and fell twice! (first & second time ever). Not a single fish but I was amazed with the river and surrounding area. I do plan on going back this coming summer depending on the time of year I may try wading again or hire a drift boat. There was a great article in Eastern Fly fisherman magazine last spring which caught my attention prompting the trip. The info by the summer was outdated (main fly shop closed). There are apps for your phone that will alert you to a river flow / height and alarm when water is discharged from the damn. I use the app Gauging Rivers

I love mine! I chose the 3000 because of the jaws similar to my Universal II that I have tied 100K+ bucktails on. Now that Im tying flys I wanted something the same. You can see my set up in the workbench database area and in this thread Fly Tying Bench JayWirth. (The thread has the most picts)

I prefer to use as much natural as possible. My thought being toward tradition vs modern approach to fly fishing & tying.

I found my package in the mail this afternoon. Im very impressed with the quality and hope my simple caddis was up to par. Great Swap! Bob, thanks for the gift. Merry Christmas to all.

I have been tying bucktail jigs and streamers since a boy 35+ years (professionally 20 years) and fly tying for just a few. My father tied professionally beginning in the mid 60's till his death in 03. When my father taught me as a young boy how to tie he mentioned often that a tyer may tie a few dozen jigs and then find you are tying poorly. Often this was due to a change in materials (a new bucktail with thick vs the last one with thin hair) but what he always asked was did I move from my position. What dad stressed was that the way a tyer positions themselves is very important to how material is added to the hook. He was convinced (and I would concure now in my experienced years) that a change in 'angle' affects the tiers immediate muscle memory. So repositioning your chair (higher / lower, left / right) was usually the fix. I would add that each time a tyer sits down the first few jigs / flys should be the 'learning' flys - not that they shouldn’t be as good as the last one you tie at that sitting (Im tying to sell and can't waste material) but as you tie the first few you are going through a mental checklist of positioning, how the thread feels, notes on material feel / quality. Additionally, placement of your tools within your space should always be the same 1) to conserve time & for efficiency 2) to keep you positioning and extra movements to a minimum. Since I am new as a fly tier I do find I sometimes struggle with the first matching the last. I am still learning materials and building a memory of tying steps for each pattern. Luckily I am just tying flys for my use and not for resale.

Mine are ready to go. What is the shipping address?

Im in with elk hair caddis

Thanks Luchs. The pictures look tidy because I had set up the bench that day - you should see it now

Caddis, Grass Hopper, Flying Ant. Im not far from you here in Vestal, NY. Good Luck - Tight Lines!

Got mine today - all are very nice. Thanks for a great swap.

I have used Wapsi head cement for years and have always purchased it by the qt. My supply is running low but I am no longer ably to buy this in bulk. Im pretty sure this is a standard clear lacquer and am thinking of trying lacquer used for furniture & instruments. What are others using and getting in bulk?? I am also quite fond of gudbrod head cement (cir 1970 and am getting down to my last couple jars).

Back from my trip and I must say the Hiwassee is a mighty river. I began at the bridge at Reliance, TN and found the Hiwassee Angler is no more - Further up Powerhouse Rd is a small country store / gas with what looks like the fly shop inventory. I hope this store keeps the flies stocked as it was a nice stop with some local flavor. I then headed back down down stream where I saw the most parked cars. Many pull off areas along the river and many sulfers hatching. Lots of people fishing from shore mostly with spinning gear and spoons. I tried a couple spots and did some scouting for a spot to wade. I had a hell of a time wading and actually fell during the struggle. A wet arm wasn't going to end the day so I headed back up Power House Rd. Again many pull offs and the river is picture perfect. Again I try to wade but find it difficult for shallow areas. What looks like good wadeable spots are difficult rocks surrounded by very deep holes. No fish for me that day. I did spend about 8 hours exploring areas. Ill be back - next trip Ill hire a drift boat for a better education on this (powerhouse) stretch of the Hiwassee.

I found my box waiting for me this evening. Great ties! Thanks to all.

ditz2 I would agree that this shrinking of the middle class is a big concern - I would include this as a factor along with some examples from my original post.

Ill be in Cleveland TN and plan on heading to the Cherokee National Park and fish the Hiwassee River the week of the 11th. My question, are there marked locations for fisherman parking / access along the river. I am finding it very difficult to find good information on the internet.

Sorry abou the smiley face I typed a&b to indicate two lines of thought??????????????

I dont see Netabrookie comments as an attack on America or our values however they do have some merrit in the discussion. The view on copoarate greed is just a small part of the overall picture. An additional part to this occurance of cost increase is due to A) countrys that are experiencing their own industrilization / labor movements experienced by Americans from the 40s - 70s, and new ethical stance of coporate responsibility (there is also something to be said about the perception of greed and a coporations ethical responsibility to stake holders - but this would be further off topic). This trend of price / cost increase is bound to continue and manufacturers and retailers will continue to adjust to these changes.